2021-22 Joe Kearney Award Winners
DENVER – New Mexico State basketball player Teddy Allen and Abilene Christian track & field athlete Annina Brandenburg are the 2021-22 Western Athletic Conference Joe Kearney Award winners. Named in honor of former WAC commissioner Joe Kearney, the awards are given annually to the top male and female student-athletes in the WAC.
During his first season in the conference, Allen earned WAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year, Tournament MVP and Newcomer of the Year after helping the Aggies to a share of the regular-season title and the tournament championship.
On March 17, Allen scored 37 points in a victory by NM State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Connecticut.
He led the WAC in scoring (19.6 ppg) total points (665), free throws made (163) and total minutes played (1139:29)
"Teddy's exploits as a player have been well documented and revered throughout the country. He had a historic season as an Aggie and left his mark on the record books and endeared himself to the Aggie faithful!" said former NM State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Jans. "Teddy was a full-time father, 4.0 Student, and excellent leader with his dedication and work ethic. I’m most proud about the opportunity to watch him mature into a leader and changed the narrative about who he is. Teddy has overcome some incredible odds to become a college graduate, conference champion and Player of the Year."
Allen is the third NM State male student-athlete to earn the Kearney Award, joining baseball player Nick Gonzales (2019-20) and men's basketball player Jemerrio Jones (2017-18). He is the ninth men's basketball player in WAC history to receive this honor.
Brandenburg was the WAC Female Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year after winning conference titles in both the Shot Put and Discus. She was also the runner-up in the javelin and was the co-high point winner of the meet while picking up WAC Field Athlete of the Year.
The Graduate Student from Düsseldorf, Germany was a First Team All-American in the shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Brandenburg set school records in the shot put three times in 2022 with a best throw of 17.30 meters, good for eighth place at nationals.
Likewise, Brandenburg set school records in the discus three times during the 2022 outdoor season, finishing with a best throw of 58.29 meters.
"It is difficult to put into words how amazing and special this individual is as a competitor, a teammate, but more so as a person. It is truly an honor to be her coach and to have shared so many memories and moments with her throughout this time,” said ACU Head Track & Field Coach Jerrod Cook. " Annina has been a consistent performer for us during her time at ACU, but this year, she elevated to a different level. Annina is a truly special athlete and person, and we are so grateful for her leadership and mentorship on this team.
This was Abilene Christian’s first year in the WAC so Brandenburg is the first ACU student-athlete to earn this prestigious honor. She is the sixth women’s track & field athlete to win this award.
Previous Joe Kearney Award Winners:
2021 Fardaws Aimaq, Basketball, Utah Valley, Ane Olaeta, Basketball, California Baptist
2020 Nick Gonzales, Baseball, NM State, Megan Hart, Volleyball, NM State
2019 Mark Nikolaev, Swimming and Diving, Grand Canyon, Brooke Salas, Basketball, NM State
2018 Jemerrio Jones, Basketball, NM State, Kelsey Horton, Softball, NM State
2017 Paul Hoffmeister, Soccer, UVU/DeWayne Russell, Basketball, GCU Shawnte’ Goff, Basketball, UTRGV
2016 Antoine Rozner, Golf, Kansas City, Gwen Murphy, Volleyball, NM State
2015 Michael McPherson, Track & Field, Utah Valley, Courtney Frerichs, Cross Country/Track & Field, Kansas City
2014 Mitchell Huxhold, Swimming and Diving, Bakersfield, Stephanie Verdoia, Soccer, Seattle U
2013 Kyle Barone, Basketball, Idaho, Hannah Kiser, Cross Country/Track & Field, Idaho
2012 Andrew Blaser, Track and Field, Idaho/Robert Turbin, Football, Utah State, Chelsea Hayes, Louisiana Tech-Track & Field
2011 Colin Kaepernick, Football, Nevada, Emma Friesen, Swimming and Diving, Hawai’i
2010 Kellen Moore, Football, Boise State, Amber Kaufman, Volleyball/Track and Field, Hawai’i
2009 Tom Mendonca, Baseball, Fresno State, Melanie Gloria, Tennis, Fresno State
2008 Steve Susdorf, Baseball, Fresno State, Emma Friesen, Diving, Hawai‘i
2007 Colt Brennan, Football, Hawai‘i, Kanoe Kamana’o, Volleyball, Hawai‘i
2006 Nick Fazekas, Basketball, Nevada Kanoe Kamana’o, Volleyball, Hawai’i
2005 Gabriel Wallin, Track and Field, Boise State, Jamie Southern, Softball, Fresno State
2004 Kirk Snyder, Basketball, Nevada, Kim Willoughby, Volleyball, Hawai‘i
2003 Nick Watney, Golf, Fresno State, Kim Willoughby, Volleyball/Basketball, Hawai‘i
2002 David Carr, Football, Fresno State, Stacy Prammanasudh, Golf, Tulsa
2001 LaDainian Tomlinson, Football, TCU, Florence Ezeh, Track and Field, SMU
2000 Courtney Alexander, Basketball, Fresno State, Amanda Scott, Softball, Fresno State
1999 Andre Miller, Basketball, Utah, Martina Moravcova, Swimming and Diving, SMU
1998 Lars Frolander, Swimming and Diving, SMU, Amanda Scott, Softball, Fresno State
1997 Keith Van Horn, Basketball, Utah, Martina Moravcova, Swimming and Diving, SMU
1996 Keith Van Horn, Basketball, Utah, Nina Lindenberg, Softball, Fresno State
1995 Stoney Case, Football, New Mexico, Susanne Metz, Gymnastics, Utah
1994 Marshall Faulk, Football, San Diego State, Amy Van Dyken, Swimming and Diving, Colorado State
1993 Marshall Faulk, Footballl, San Diego State, Mikki Kane-Barton, Volleyball, Utah
1992 Carlton McDonald, Football, Air Force, Anu Kaljurand, Track and Field, Brigham Young
-WAC-